# List of accolades received by Blue Velvet

Blue Velvet is a 1986 American mystery film written and directed by David Lynch. The movie exhibits elements of both film noir and surrealism. The film features Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, and Laura Dern. The title is taken from the 1963 Bobby Vinton song of the same name, which is featured in the film. Although initially detested by some mainstream critics, the film has now become widely acclaimed.
Blue Velvet was a critical success for Rossellini and Hopper, earning both several awards for their roles—Hopper's portrayal of the film's antagonist Frank Booth earned him six nominations with four wins, and Rossellini was successful in her Independent Spirit Awards nomination for Best Female Lead—while the film also earned Lynch his second Academy Award nomination for Best Director. As an example of a director casting against the norm, Blue Velvet is also noted for re-launching Hopper's career and for providing Rossellini with a dramatic outlet beyond the work as a fashion model and a cosmetics spokeswoman for which she had until then been known.
The film centers on college student Jeffrey Beaumont (MacLachlan), who, returning from a hospital visit to his ill father, discovers a human ear in a field in his hometown of Lumberton. He proceeds to investigate the ear with help from a high school student, Sandy Williams (Dern), who provides him with information and leads from her father, a local police detective. Jeffrey's investigation draws him deeper into his hometown's seedy underworld, and sees him forming a sexual relationship with the alluring torch singer, Dorothy Vallens (Rossellini), and uncovering psychotic criminal Frank Booth (Hopper), who engages in drug abuse, kidnapping, and sexual violence.

## Awards and nominations

| Award | Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| Academy Awards | 1987 | Best Director | David Lynch | Nominated |
| Boston Society of Film Critics | 1987 | Best Film | Blue Velvet | Won |
| Boston Society of Film Critics | 1987 | Best Director | David Lynch | Won |
| Boston Society of Film Critics | 1987 | Best Cinematography | Frederick Elmes | Won |
| Boston Society of Film Critics | 1987 | Best Supporting Actor | Dennis Hopper | Won |
| Golden Globe Awards | 1987 | Best Screenplay | David Lynch | Nominated |
| Golden Globe Awards | 1987 | Best Supporting Actor | Dennis Hopper | Nominated |
| Independent Spirit Awards | 1987 | Best Female Lead | Isabella Rossellini | Won |
| Independent Spirit Awards | 1987 | Best Female Lead | Laura Dern | Nominated |
| Independent Spirit Awards | 1987 | Best Director | David Lynch | Nominated |
| Independent Spirit Awards | 1987 | Best Screenplay | David Lynch | Nominated |
| Independent Spirit Awards | 1987 | Best Cinematography | Frederick Elmes | Nominated |
| Independent Spirit Awards | 1987 | Best Male Lead | Dennis Hopper | Nominated |
| Independent Spirit Awards | 1987 | Best Feature | Fred C. Caruso | Nominated |
| Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards | 1987 | Best Director | David Lynch | Won |
| Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards | 1987 | Best Supporting Actor | Dennis Hopper | Won |
| Montreal World Film Festival | 1986 | Best Actor | Dennis Hopper | Won |
| National Society of Film Critics Awards | 1986 | Best Film | Blue Velvet | Won |
| National Society of Film Critics Awards | 1986 | Best Director | David Lynch | Won |
| National Society of Film Critics Awards | 1986 | Best Supporting Actor | Dennis Hopper | Won |
| National Society of Film Critics Awards | 1986 | Best Cinematography | Frederick Elmes | Won |
| Sitges Film Festival | 1986 | Best Film | Blue Velvet | Won |

## Listicles

The film is recognized by the American Film Institute in the following lists:
* AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills – #96
* AFI's 10 Top 10 – #8 Mystery Film
* AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains: Frank Booth – #36 villain